Abstract

This paper provides a description of the SCORE Project which is being funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, UK, and particularly the work at City University whilst acknowledging the contributions of all partners. The project, which is still underway, concerns the development of an electricity generating thermoacoustic engine which is driven by the heat of a cookstove for application in developing countries.

There is a significant level of innovation in the work in three respects: 1) research into the combination of the thermoacoustic engine, linear alternator and cool box in a single device, powered by a biomass cooking stove, never attempted before, 2) design of a rugged and inexpensive linear alternator that could be easily produced at very low cost, 3) use of local manufacturing skills and simplicity of assembly, which are major research issues compared to the high-cost and high-tech therm-oacoustic systems produced so far. These challenges form the backbone of the scientific and technological work program. Within the overall 5-year duration, the first 3 years have been mainly focussed on conducting the necessary social and scientific research, while the last 2 years will broadly focus on technology handover, including representative field trials and a wide dissemination among target communities. By the end of the 3rd year a milestone was achieved, the world’s first demonstration of a working thermo-acoustic engine operating in a wood fired cookstove.